Forty years ago, a small group of West Virginia women organized the inaugural Spring Gala to benefit cancer care at what is now the WVU Cancer Institute. E. Gordon Gee attended the event during his first stint as the University’s president from 1981 to 1985.
“They were a group of people who just decided that they wanted greatness for our University, and they wanted to make sure that cancer was at the center of that,” Gee said. “Now it’s become a regular component of who the University is. We raise a lot of money, and we’re grateful for that, but I think it’s really more of a celebration. And I think it’s always good to celebrate good deeds, good work, and good opportunities.”
This year’s Gala — held April 25-27 at The Greenbrier — jointly recognized Gee, WVU First Lady Laurie Erickson, and longtime supporter Sharon Rowe for their dedication with the Betty Puskar Winged Victory Award, the WVU Cancer Institute’s highest honor.
The award is named for the famous Greek “Winged Victory” sculpture, found in 119 pieces and reconstructed to reveal the striking figure of a winged woman. For the WVU Cancer Institute, the award symbolizes the life-shattering impact of a cancer diagnosis, and the collaborative effort required to restore patients’ health. The faceless sculpture also serves as a reminder that cancer does not discriminate, and anyone can make a difference.
“Fittingly, the inaugural recipient of this award became its namesake; Betty Puskar’s vision for cancer care in the Mountain State reverberates in the work we undertake today to lower cancer incidence and improve outcomes,” Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, M.D., executive chair and director of the WVU Cancer Institute, said.
“Her legacy has only grown as we accelerate research and expand education and clinical initiatives throughout the state and across the region. The Winged Victory awardees who succeeded Betty have carried on her legacy, furthering our mission by contributing not only transformative resources but also invaluable time and talent. This year’s awardees are no exception. We are humbled by their resolve and their commitment to the Institute and applaud their years of heartfelt service to our cause."
Championing the cause
Gee has remained dedicated to cancer care, outreach, and research since returning to WVU in 2014. He says that’s largely a reflection of Erickson’s commitment.
“She reminds me every morning, every evening, and in between times about how important the work of the Cancer Institute is,” Gee said. “She puts her money where her mouth is. She puts her energy, time, and treasure. I think that no one has been more committed to really moving the CI forward.”
Erickson has advocated for the WVU Cancer Institute as a generous donor, a volunteer member of the CI Leadership Council, and a repeat chair of the Gala planning committee. She was inspired by the passion of Puskar, a vocal advocate and supporter of the WVU Cancer Institute following breast cancer treatment in the 1980s.
Laurie Erickson and Gordon Gee
“She was a real champion,” Erickson said of Puskar. “It was so impressive what she had done with the Betty Puskar Breast Care Center, how she cared about the women of West Virginia, and all the women that have raised money for the cancer center and the new cancer hospital that we’re going to build. It is inspiring, and of course you want to help.”
The work of the WVU Cancer Institute hits close to home for Gee and Erickson. Gee’s wife, Elizabeth, was 46 when she died in 1991, following a recurrence of breast cancer. Erickson’s husband, Charles F. Erickson, also battled cancer before he passed away in 2013, at 81.
Erickson noted that cancer is a disease that affects virtually everyone in one way or another. In her experience, one of the assets that sets WVU apart from other institutions is the overwhelming compassion shown by the Cancer Institute team.
“Everyone is smiling; everyone is caring,” Erickson said. “Every one of those nurses can’t do enough for their patients. It is unbelievable the amount of compliments that our nurses and our doctors receive, and we get them all the time. And you don’t hear that a lot of other places.”
Changing lives
Rowe, of Lewisburg, has personally experienced that compassion as a three-time cancer survivor. She is “eternally grateful” to the WVU Cancer Institute clinicians and staff for the quality care she received.
“I have sat in infusion rooms and labs and hospital waiting rooms with patients and their families and have witnessed firsthand the difference that this type of medical care can make in people’s lives,” Rowe said.
“Certainly, all of the different avenues that have been pursued, whether it’s Bonnie’s Bus serving underserved areas of the state or the great research that’s being conducted at the University, it’s impacting the lives of West Virginians and those beyond the state’s borders. There couldn’t be a better opportunity to share your resources than with an institution that’s really changing lives.”
Rowe has been involved with the Gala since its inception, when she worked at The Greenbrier. She still vividly remembers meeting with the original organizers who envisioned “an event like no other” within West Virginia.
The inaugural event welcomed seven chefs for an extensive culinary demonstration, and guest chefs — including the legendary Julia Child — have been a mainstay of the event. Yet, what Rowe cherishes most is the camaraderie for the cause.
Sharon Rowe
“So many friendships have been formed around this Gala, so much goodwill has been disseminated, and so many people have gathered together to truly move the mission forward,” Rowe said.
More than 360 supporters attended the 2025 Spring Gala, contributing funds to support treatment, research, outreach, and more aimed at lessening the cancer burden in Appalachia. Originally tabulated at nearly $950,000, the benefit’s revenues were bolstered to $975,000 post-event by the awardees’ continued efforts to fundraise.
Cancer treatment options within West Virginia were limited when the Spring Gala began in 1985. All three honorees said it has been satisfying to see cancer care expand over the past 40 years to ensure greater accessibility across the Mountain State and beyond.
“We don’t want anyone to have to leave West Virginia to get cancer treatment, and now they don’t,” Erickson said.
Gee, Erickson, and Rowe are excited to see how the WVU Cancer Institute continues to grow in the coming years as it pursues the state’s first National Cancer Institute designation and moves forward with plans for a new cancer hospital in Morgantown.
Although Gee is retiring as WVU’s president, he and Erickson remain committed to the mission and future of WVU Cancer Institute.
“For me, what this does is it presents an opportunity to work on those projects I find very meaningful,” Gee said. “Among those, I will say, is working closely with the Cancer Institute in building that new cancer hospital. Now, I won’t be out there with a hammer and nail, but I’ll be fully engaged in raising awareness, raising dollars, working carefully with state and federal officials to make certain that we’re moving this project forward as quickly as we possibly can.”
All gifts to the WVU Cancer Institute are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University and its affiliated entities.